Lucia Griffith

Lucia Ahlin Griffith (nee Johnson), 85, died in Long Beach, California on July 26, 2016, as a result of a stroke she suffered last December.

Lucia was the fourth of four daughters born to Lucia Rosina (White) and Carl Einar Johnson on March 10, 1931 in the village of East Aurora, New York. On her mother’s side, Lucia can trace her lineage to one of the first children born on the Mayflower.  Her father was a Swedish immigrant who was fiercely proud to be an American.  He enlisted in the US Navy and served in World War II as a Seabee in the South Pacific.  While he was away, Lucia traveled with her mother to live with her oldest sister, Ann, who was teaching in a one-room school house near Cody, Wyoming.  Lucia attended eighth grade there and was taught by her sister.  Following the war, Lucia and her parents returned to Western New York.  She graduated from Holland Central School outside Buffalo in 1948, and attended Purdue University.  She is survived by her sister Carolyn Fitzgerald, age 91.

In 1951 Lucia moved to Long Beach, California and found work as a bookkeeper at the Bank of America. Her boss and his wife would become life-long friends, raising their families together.  As fate would have it, a friend from East Aurora and her husband also lived in Long Beach at that time.  They introduced Lucia to a friend from work; a guy by the name of Tom Griffith.

Lucia and Tom were married on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 1953, and lived happily in Long Beach for 63 years. Together they raised six children who were born between 1954 and 1962:  Edward Carl (Ted), William David, Amy Susanne (Manning), Julia LuAnn (Clayton), Melissa Lu (Magrath), and John Thomas.  A stay-at-home mom, the kids benefitted from her constant love and support in many activities.  Lucia was a Cub Scout Den Mother for each of the boys, who all earned the rank of Eagle Scout, and assisted Bluebird and Camp Fire leaders for the girls, who all earned Camp Fire’s WoHeLo Medallion.

Mrs. Griffith was a tireless volunteer in Long Beach Public Schools, not only during the years her kids were in school but long after. She also served as a polling place worker and precinct captain for more than 20 years.  She said she got to know the neighbors that way.

She was an expert seamstress, and taught each daughter to sew. She could make anything from clothing, to sails for the boat, to sleeping bags, and Halloween costumes.  She always said the time she spent in her sewing room after the kids were in bed was her version of therapy.

Lucia’s beautiful smile made everyone feel loved and welcome. She was the ultimate mom, devoting her life to her family.  During summer vacations from the mid ‘60s to the mid ‘70s, the family could be found swimming and sailing at Alamitos Bay, where Mom made sure her children were “waterproof”.  Weekends were for family.  Lucia ensured that Tom got a chance to recharge with a family bike ride or a trip to Catalina.

It was also important to her that her children learn about their country. In 1970, while all six kids were still at home, Lucia and the family travelled East in a new 12-passenger Ford van, camping all but 3-4 nights during that 5-week trip.  Civil War battlegrounds, Arlington National Cemetery, New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and the Thirteen Colonies were among the highlights of the trip, as well as a lobster dinner in Maine.

Lucia had a passion for music and imparted that love to her children. The house was constantly filled with music.  She sang in her church choir, and later thoroughly enjoyed singing with the Choral Belles, one of many groups comprising the California Women’s Chorus, which raises money for music scholarships.  A real patriot, Lucia belted out the national anthem at every opportunity.

Lucia loved Long Beach and the ocean, and the fact that we could visit the snow or desert without having to live there. She embraced California casual living.  She walked her dog along the Bluff every morning and greeted everyone along the way, making new friends of strangers.

Proud grandmother of ten: William’s six children; Trenton Thomas, Lauren Lucia, Blake Benjamin, Ahlin Rochelle, Georgina Florence, and David Nathanael; Julia’s two daughters; Savannah Lee and Camille Alissa, and John’s two children; Katherine Tess and Evan Fitzgerald.  Also a loving grandma to Ted’s stepdaughter Nirankar, and Amy’s step daughters Kristine Simson (Manning) and Katrina Manning.

Great grandmother to five: Trent’s Cruz Thomas, Lauren and Ben Brutsch’s Cason Werner, Lucia Mae, Levi William, and Amelia Joyce. And, “Grandma Lucia” to Kristie Simson’s Devin, Lauren, Katelyn and Evelyn, and Katie Manning’s Skylar.

L ucia is survived by her husband, Tom and their descendants.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests you plant a tree, do a good turn, or spend time making memories with your family….and tell them Lucia sent you.

Luyben Dilday Mortuary (562) 425-6401